What is honey?

    Flowers secrete a sweet liquid called nectar.  Bees  collect this nectar and carry it back to the hive,  where it is thickened into honey.  The color and flavor of honey depends on the nectar the bees use to make it.  During the hot summer months, bees store much more honey than they can use, and the beekeeper harvests this surplus.   Honey can be obtained in several forms.

• Comb honey  - Honey can be left in the wax comb, just as the bees store it.  Comb honey is delightful to eat, wax and all, spread on a warm slice of toast or any type of muffin.  Since the bees have sealed the honey in wax , it keeps its original flavor  months later.
• Liquid honey - This honey is spun (extracted) from the combs and bottled.  Most of the honey in chain stores is heated so it will not crystallize and it may be blended with honey from other countries.  Heat destroys some of the natural, healthful properties of honey.  Our honey is local, raw honey and because it is unheated keeps its natural flavor.  It may crystallize.
• Crystallized honey - This is extracted honey which has been bottled without heating.  It will undergo a natural process of crystallizing.  Slow warming in a pan of warm water will reliquify crystallized honey if it is desired.  Many people prefer crystallized honey.

Beeswax

    Beeswax has been highly prized since ancient times.  Honey bees, long regarded as models of industry and purity, make their wax from the nectar of flowers.  Pure beeswax candles with their delightful sweet fragrance burn longer, more cleanly and give off more light than other wax candles.

    Pure beeswax may develop a film called "bloom" which can easily be removed by buffing with a soft cloth.

Pollen

Pollen is produced by flowers along with the nectar.  Honey bees gather it and bring it back to the hive in special baskets on their hind legs where it is stored until needed.  Pollen is the protein part of the honey bee diet. Pollen traps remove some of the pollen carried by the bee.  It is gathered each day. After it is dried out it is ready for human use.

Royal Jelly

Information coming soon

Propolis

Honeybees collect resins from the buds of poplars, birches, pine treesand other trees.  After the resin is chewed by the honeybee with the addition of saliva, other substances are formed.  The finished product is called propolis (Sometimes called "bee Glue.").  Propolis is vital for the survival of bees.  Not only does it protect them against diseases, but also wind and cold.  They coat the entire inside of the hive with it.  It has antiseptic properties.